While a Home Equity Investment is not the right fit for all homeowners looking to tap into their equity, it might be a good fit for you if: You can't – or don't want to – make a monthly payment. Your income or credit disqualifies you from traditional financing solutions.
Cons You give up a portion of your home's future appreciation. Not available in all states. Only by select private lenders. May include upfront fees. Limits how much equity you can access. May include restrictions on how you can use, renovate, or sell your home.
A HEA might make more sense if you need a lump sum now, prefer not to take on monthly debt, or have limited income or credit history. Both can be smart ways to tap into your home's equity. Just make sure to read the fine print, weigh the long-term costs, and choose the option that best aligns with your plans.
Home equity sharing agreements involve selling a percentage of your home's value or appreciation to an investor in exchange for a lump sum upfront. The agreement typically is settled, with the homeowner paying back the investor, after the home is sold or at the end of a 10- to 30-year period.
Your equity is the share of your home that you own versus what you owe on your mortgage. For example, if your home is worth $300,000 and you have a mortgage balance of $150,000, then you have equity of $150,000, or 50 percent.
The Close's top picks for the best home equity sharing companies Home Equity Sharing CompanyHome Equity Investment (HEI) Terms Visit Splitero Get between $30,000-500,000 or up to 15% of your home's value 10-30 year term Visit Unison Get up to $500,000 10-year term Receive funding in two to six weeks8 more rows •
Qualifying for a HEA is relatively easy, too. The main requirement is to have built up some equity in your property. You don't need a super high credit score, and the income criteria are flexible.